A STEP UP FROM THE CHAIN GANG: CRAFTS CREATED BY ARMENIAN INMATES PRISONERS PROUD OF HANDIWORK
Avet Demourian
Toronto Star, Canada
May 22 2006
YEREVAN, Armenia-Men in black turtlenecks bend over the workshop
tables, intently carving key chains, model ships, even an elaborate
walnut backgammon set.
These and other handicrafts will go for sale at the Prison Arts kiosk
at a weekend market in the centre of Yerevan, the capital. It’s part
of a new program to occupy the time of Armenia’s prison inmates.
The program is the brainchild of Justice Minister David Arutyunian
and the director of the ministry’s prison reform program, Nikolai
Arustamian. The inmate “is occupied, he creates and gets satisfaction
from this,” Arutyunian says. “For many, the financial aspect is
secondary.”
The prisoners weave wall hangings and craft watches, religious
medallions, slippers and leather cases for mobile phones and keys.
Each piece gets a label in Armenian and English identifying the
craftsman and describing what materials were used.
The label does not indicate the sentence being served by the artisan
or the crime – but the inmates eagerly volunteer that information.
“I’ve been `inside’ since I was 16,” says 34-year-old Fyodor
Matriashin, serving his sixth sentence for robbery. “I began making
wooden boxes when I first arrived, but I used to give them away. Now
I’m paid for them.”
Each of Armenia’s 13 prisons, home to some 3,000 inmates, had some
sort of manufacturing department when the country was part of the
Soviet Union, but production shut down and most of the equipment was
carted away after the federation broke apart at the end of 1991.
An advocacy group, the Assistance to the Prisoner Fund, started
prisoners making clothes and now is trying to revive the manufacture
of ceramics and bricks at Erebuni prison, a facility in Yerevan for
repeat offenders.
But it is the crafts workshops that seem to give prisoners the
greatest satisfaction.
“Just about everyone in the prison uses my cigarette holders,” says
Abel Pogosian, a 32-year-old serving his fifth sentence for assault.
“Now maybe someone on the outside will like them, too.”

NEW RIGHTS MEMBER PREDICTS IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE COULD HURT GEORGIA
The Messenger, Georgia
May 22 2006
Sakartvelos Respublika reports that a member of the parliamentary
opposition party New Rights Irakli Iashvili forecast that after the
exploitation of the Armenia-Iran gas pipeline, the gas tariff will
be further increased in Georgia.
The article writes that Iashvili stated at a session of the Sector
Economy and Economic Policy Committee that the construction of the
Armenia-Iran gas pipeline will be completed late this year, which
means that while negotiating with Russia, Georgia will lose a key
lever – its role as the key transit route for Armenian gas.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LESSONS OF EUROVISION, OR INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IS THE BEST
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
22 May 06
On May 20 almost the entire Armenia watched the final of Eurovision
Song Contest 2006, where Armenia was participating for the first time,
and Armenia was represented by Andre. The Greeks had really organized a
great show, pleasant to watch. I am sure that besides being enjoyable
and arousing joy and pride in Armenians for Andre’s performance and
points, Eurovision also taught lessons to many Armenians; for instance,
many people learned names of new European countries which they might
not have known before.
Generally, even the most delightful moments of life carry cognitive
elements along with pleasure, which are surely more important than
pleasure. Pleasure is transient, whereas a lesson is for all our life
and may even prove useful before and maybe also during other moments of
joy. In this sense, Eurovision 2006 is the first lesson to Armenia. The
point is not just participation. However, in this sense we also have
much to learn. The song that won would not be competitive even on
ALM TV. It is surprising that quite good songs, potential hits, took
lower positions, and many did not even appear in the first ten, maybe
because they do not have a Diaspora. But the victory of the Finnish
song also teaches much to those nations which are too sensitive on
their origin and tend to believe in archaeological sentiments on a
thousands of years old civilization more than the others. The Finnish
song was not exactly rock, and the band was not exactly a rock band,
it was imitation and irony rather.
And by voting for this song, the European youth displayed that songs
and the contest are simply entertainment. The victory of Finns is
the victory of the European youth rather than theirs, who voted for
lightness (though the title of the song is “Hard Rock”). The other
countries, which presented undoubtedly better songs, may say that
the Europeans are tasteless, and the victory of the Finnish band
was the defeat of taste. This argument may have an element of truth
but not more. The point is that musical taste is a relative notion,
and it cannot be put out for a contest, and whenever it is put out
for a contest, only for maximum enjoyment. The European youth decided
to entertain themselves at full this time, and in this case musical
imitation does not matter much.
Indeed it was high time that a country or a song win on Eurovision,
which is not going to become a tool for propaganda of patriotism;
it was high time that a country speak up which would not make its
victory a tool for internal and external goals.
There has been a lot of consideration that the winners of Eurovision
are determined by the current geopolitical situation or economic and
political tendencies. In fact, such a large-scale event cannot be
free from influence. However, it should not be denied either that
the voting youth simply decided to increase their influence, and
Eurovision 2006 could even be considered as the continuation of riots
of French young people protesting against political decisions, which
ignore public opinion. In this context, the public debates on Andre’s
song in Armenia were simply ingenuous and funny. Only the president
and the patriarch did not express their opinion on the song. Whereas
they should take it easy and not make a national matter out of a song,
although it is represented under the Armenian flag.
After all, the Lithuanian flag did not suffer when the band
representing this country sang a humorous song and received more
votes than Andre.
Yet the song contest in Athens taught another important lesson
to Armenia. Many in Armenia have probably noticed that the former
Yugoslavian countries, which had been slaughtering one another several
years ago, gave their votes to one another. It was interesting that
the Russian singer got the highest points from the Baltic States,
which have an extremely negative attitude to this country. And Turkey
gave a surprise to the Armenians in Armenia and all over the world,
giving 12 points to Armenia. Even in many countries with large Armenian
communities Andre did not get such high points. This can be considered
as the victory of the Turkish youth.
They simply let everyone know that they can be members of the friendly
and tolerant European family. Though outwardly, they showed that they
can use human values in treating people, notwithstanding historical
and political problems. Moreover, it should be noted that the Turks
did the same during Eurovision 2005 when they gave 12 points to the
Greek singer despite the historical and political problems between
Turkey and Greece, like between Turkey and Armenia.
One may say that there is politics behind all this, and the voting
results are simply coined to preach friendliness, to instill tolerance
in societies. Everything can be said, and everything can be explained
somehow. After all nothing else is left to do, when the Turks give
10 points to our singer, and the Turkish singer does not get a single
point in Armenia. Maybe we are fairer and we have a better taste.
In the fact, the problem is really political, and addresses the
outlook of countries and governments. In Turkey they surely dislike
Armenians like the Armenians dislike Turks. However, our neighbors
seek to teach their youth to live without hatred. Moreover, their
motive is purely national rather than moral or universal. They teach
that it is possible to achieve much more through love and diplomacy,
for such is the system of values of the 21st century, when love is
a political necessity rather than a compulsion. Probably, however,
it is pointless to go in for formalities, and perhaps it is more
reasonable to go to an international tribunal, as the president of
the Union of Armenians of Russia proposed. Especially that besides the
recognition of the Genocide we can claim to recognition of Formality,
accusing the Turks of a Formal vote for the Armenian singer.

BLACK BOX FROM CRASHED ARMENIAN AIRLINER RECOVERED
MosNews, Russia
May 22 2006
One of the two flight data recorders from the Armenian Airbus-320
passenger plane, which crashed into the Black Sea off Sochi on May
3, has been found Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin said. The
black box recorded the conversation between the pilot and crew and
had been buried under 20-50 centimeters of silt, RIA Novosti news
agency quotes Levitin as saying.
He added that the search for the other box, which recorded flight
data and is thought to be lying 3-5 meters (10-16 feet) away from
the first one, would continue into the night.
Rescuers’ data showed that the A-320’s black boxes were at a depth of
496 meters (1,627 feet) and 5 meters (16 feet) apart from each other.
The operation started last Tuesday but was interrupted by a strong
side wind that made drift the ship which is operating the RT-1000
apparatus conducting the search for the flight recorders. Silt on
the seabed complicated the work, covering the video camera and the
searchlights. The team had to raise the apparatus several times for
cleaning. It takes 40 minutes for the apparatus to sink and as long
to come back to the surface.
Flight recorders used on aircraft of the Airbus-320 type withstand a
depth of up to 6,000 meters for 30 days, experts from the French air
crash investigation bureau said. They said that flight recorders’
radio beacons keep working during the 30-day period. One of the
flight recorders registers flight parameters, including the speed,
height and direction of the flight and the autopilot operation, each
second. The other records conversations in the cockpit. Each flight
recorder weighs 10 kilograms, including a seven-kilogram armored
casing, ITAR-TASS news agency reports.
A technical commission investigating the Sochi air crash, which is
led by the CIS Interstate Aviation Committee, has asked French experts
to help find A-320 flight recorders.
The black box has been sent to Moscow for the decoding of the final
minutes of the pilots’ conversation.
The airliner, operated by Armenia’s Armavia airlines, was flying from
the Armenian capital, Yerevan, when it crashed into the sea May 3 in
stormy weather six kilometers (3.7 miles) from Adler airport, which
services the popular Russian resort of Sochi. Of the 113 people who
were aboard the plane, 51 bodies have been found so far.

CERTAIN FIGURES DO NOT STAND TRIAL
Lragir.am
22 May 06
In the May 22 meeting of parliament the adoption of the agenda was
hampered again by the opposition. The first meeting of the four-day
session, opened with the resignation of the speaker, was “devoted” to
the resignation of the speaker of the National Assembly. In accordance
with the bylaws, within five days Arthur Baghdasaryan must reaffirm his
resignation, which is then accepted by the parliament. The opposition,
however, claimed debates on the resignation of the speaker before
adoption of the agenda. Tigran Torosyan replied that this is not
foreseen in the regulations. Then the opposition decided to use the
opportunity, and the time foreseen for speeches on the agenda were
used for assessments of the opposition to the resignation of the
speaker. The leader of the National Unity Artashes Geghamyan was
highly vigorous, who accused Arthur Baghdasaryan of avoiding giving
the names of Robert Kocharyan and Serge Sargsyan and bypassing
them in criticism. Artashes Geghamyan suspects that this might be
the consequence of the atmosphere of fear pointed out by Arthur
Baghdasaryan. Geghamyan thinks that Arthur Baghdasaryan himself
became the victim of the same atmosphere of fear. Hovanes Margaryan,
a member of the Orinats Yerkir faction, retorted, saying that Orinats
Yerkir is not a scared political force.
“Our fear was arrested and imprisoned long ago. We have established
our political line and we have always frankly and clearly expressed
our opinions,” said Hovanes Margaryan.
Victor Dallakyan made a statement about the political and parliamentary
crisis, saying that the secession of Orinats Yerkir marked the
collapse of the coalition. “In accordance with the coalition memorandum
signed in 2003, if a party secedes from the coalition, the coalition
stops. In other word, what we have today in the Republic of Armenia
is a parliamentary and political crisis. The coalition does not exist
any longer, and there can be two solutions from the points of view of
politics and political science. One is to dissolve the parliament,
the other is to dismiss the government and form a new parliamentary
majority,” says Victor Dallakyan.
According to Victor Dallakyan, it is political nonsense to pretend
that nothing happened, and to trade in offices.
Despite the attempts of Deputy Speaker Tigran Torosyan to
prevent discussion at the expense of adoption of the agenda, he
was nevertheless, involved in the debate, mostly due to Artashes
Geghamyan. Geghamyan reminded about Arthur Baghdasaryan’s statement
that a number of bills damaging the interests of people may be
introduced to the parliament. According to Geghamyan, it is a direct
accusation against the Republican majority.
Tigran Torosyan thinks that what happened is a regular political
process, and requires an adequate attitude. According to Tigran
Torosyan, this is required from all the political forces.
“Orinats Yerkir does not need protection, and the opposite is
Pharisaic. As well as attempts to protect, attempts to say something.
Whatever outlooks Orinats Yerkir had, it expressed them directly
and straightforwardly. It does not depend on whether I agree, or you
agree, or both of us disagree. It is a matter of morality, a moral
attitude towards our colleagues. And it will be correct if we remain
within these limits. I agree that a number of challenges and abusive
phrases have nothing to do with morality, and unfortunately, the first
steps show that certain political figures do not stand this trial,”
stated Tigran Torosyan.

SPEAKER ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN RESIGNED
Lragir.am
22 May 06
The meeting of the National Assembly on May 22 opened with the
resignation of Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan. Members of the Orinats
Yerkir Party Mher Shahgeldyan (Chair of the Committee for Defense,
Internal Affairs and National Security) and Gagik Mkeyan (Chair of
the Health, Social and Environmental Committee) resigned too.
In his last speech as the speaker of the National Assembly Arthur
Baghdasaryan reasserted what he had stated during his pledge to
resign. There is political disagreement and controversies on three
key matters: foreign policies, promotion of democracy, reforms.
Only within the past year the mass media and politicians have predicted
the collapse of the coalition or secession of the Orinats Yerkir Party
for 21 times, recalled Arthur Baghdasaryan. We are following the path
to building Armenia we dream of, said Arthur Baghdasaryan. Becoming
opposition, the Orinats Yerkir Party will fundamentally criticize
every wrong step, independent of who will take it, the president,
the government, one political force or another. “We cannot endorse and
support something which is beyond limits, logic. The political future
of Armenia must be democracy and freedom, not an atmosphere of fear,”
said Arthur Baghdasaryan, adding that any initiative of individuals
or political forces that will favor the nation will be supported by
Orinats Yerkir.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER TENDERS RESIGNATION
RIA Novosti, Russia
May 22 2006
MOSCOW, May 22 (RIA Novosti) – The speaker of the Armenian parliament
officially tendered his resignation Monday.
Artur Bagdasaryan, the chairman of the Orinats Erkir party, initially
announced his plans to resign May 12 following a decision by the
party’s political council to quit the government’s ruling coalition
due to what the speaker said were differences on political issues
and democracy.
The speaker should officially confirm his move in the next five days
after which he will automatically leave his post.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UN TO ADDRESS DEBASEMENT OF MISS UNIVERSE, EUROVISION
The Chaser (satire), Australia
May 22 2006
New York:
United Nations officials have criticised the victory of TISM, from
Norway, in the Eurovision Song Contest, as a wave of despondency
swept the impoverished Eastern European nations whose best performance
artists failed to make the grade.
“This is a terrible result: our officers will now have to deal with
the consequences of this decision,” said UN secretary for emerging
nation development Ramos-Boutros Hopkins, “dung-eating peasants have
been shown to gain a great boost in their national esteem by victory
in these sorts of empty international competitions. After all, they
stand no chance in the real world so these sorts of awards are the
equivalent of an ’employee of the month’ program at KFC. Giving the
award to a prosperous country like Norway is a total waste.”
“WE have seen this trend also debase the original purpose of Miss
Universe as well,” said Hopkins, a reference to the victories of Miss
Canada and Miss Australia in recent Universe contests, “Miss Universe
is there to stop Latin American countries from going communist: that’s
why we used to circulate it between Miss Venezeula, Miss Trinidad and
Tobago and Miss Peuto Rico. Who knows what instability will result
with these Westerners winning?”
In an emergency session, the UN is reportedly working behind the
scenes to ensure the next Miss World pageant is won by a former Soviet
Bloc nation.
“We gave it to Russia in 2002, but with the Eurovision trophy moving
West we are going to have to take some serious diplomatic measures.
Eurovision should have gone to Turkey or Armenia: we can’t give them
Miss Universe without making it obvious that the pageant’s judging
is less than objective.”
tion=com_smf&Itemid=161&?topic=2753.msg603 22;topicseen

PROBATION FOR POLITICAL FORCES OF ARMENIA
Lragir.am
22 May 06
“This period, about 20 days, or a month, is a trial, or a
probation period for the political sphere in Armenia, and we the
political parties must show that they are mature, they have come of
age. Unfortunately, what happened today can hardly be considered as
evidence to this, but I am hopeful that everything will calm down
finally,” said Tigran Torosyan May 22, assessing the political
situation in Armenia. According to him, the heated debate that
followed the resignation of Arthur Baghdasaryan in the parliament
is determined by this situation. At the same time, Tigran Torosyan
says the step of the political party that seceded from the coalition
should be accepted normally, because this is a normal episode from the
history of coalitions. The speaker of the National Assembly objects to
Dallakyan’s thesis on a political and parliamentary crisis, saying that
the Constitution offers a solution of the dissolution of the parliament
and the crisis, the rest is staging, not more, thinks Tigran Torosyan.

UNITED LABOR PARTY CAME TO POWER IN ARMENIA
Lragir.am
22 May 06
There is no need to sign a new memorandum on a coalition or a
parliamentary majority, stated Deputy Speaker Tigran Torosyan May 22 to
news reporters. According to him, the political culture does not impose
anything similar. However, it is attempted to restore the parliamentary
majority, although Tigran Torosyan thinks it is early to consider it.
“I believe that it will be correct to answer these questions in
several days, because the final formulations were voiced today, and
soon there real negotiations are going to take place,” says Tigran
Torosyan. But real negotiations have been kicked off, and perhaps have
already produced the first fruits. Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
appointed members of the United Labor Party to the offices of two
deputy governors and one deputy minister, affiliates of the Orinats
Yerkir Party. Tigran Torosyan thinks that these appointments are a
kick-start. However, he also advises them not to draw deep conclusions,
and not to think that negotiations with the United Labor Party were
successful, whereas there are problems with the People’s Deputy Group.
“First of all, I think it is wrong to give an assessment of a short
period. We have been working with the same People’s Deputy Group
for a long time and we will go on to work. And it is not worthwhile
drawing conclusions from appointing or not appointing to one office
or another,” said Tigran Torosyan. He also announced that the new
parliamentary group including the businessmen who left the Orinats
Yerkir Party will also be involved in the negotiations on forming
the majority in the parliament.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress